infestation

[in-fe-stey-shuh n]

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noun

the act of infesting; state of being infested.
a harassing or troublesome invasion: an infestation of ants.

Origin of infestation

1375–1425; late Middle English infestacio(u)n < Late Latin infestātiōn- (stem of infestātiō). See infest, -ation

Related formsre·in·fes·ta·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for infestation

Contemporary Examples

Sure, water filter makers put a bit of bactericide in their products to tamp down the infestation.
Are Water Filters B.S.?
Michael Schulson
August 19, 2014
In addition to this mess, there was also an infestation of maggots.
Republican Slobs Stick Together
Ben Jacobs
January 30, 2014
The apartment she was assigned to there had an infestation of cockroaches.
Denise Richards’ Reality
Andrew Carter
July 31, 2011

Historical Examples

All the infestation at the edges of these spots must be destroyed.
Crops and Methods for Soil Improvement
Alva Agee
The infestation of markets by this species has been described above.
The Biotic Associations of Cockroaches
Louis M. Roth
The skull of no. 34677 shows no infestation of the frontal sinuses by parasites.
American Weasels
E. Raymond Hall
The frontal sinuses of the type are malformed as a result of infestation by parasites.
American Weasels
E. Raymond Hall
It is sometimes, in calves, a symptom of infestation with worms.
Special Report on Diseases of Cattle
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Word Origin and History for infestation

n.

early 15c., from Late Latin infestationem (nominative infestatio) "a troubling, disturbing, molesting," noun of action from past participle stem of infestare (see infest).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper